Abstract

This project defines gendered disabilities broadly, including chronic illnesses that involve the uterus, ovaries, and other body parts traditionally classified as “female.” I interrogate the usage of language such as women’s health and gynecological using endometriosis, a common chronic illness that can cause severe pain, fatigue, system-wide effects, and infertility. It affects at least ten percent of cisgender women as well as unmeasured numbers of cisgender men and transgender and gender nonconforming people, occurring more commonly than migraines or Crohn’s disease. Endometriosis symptoms are often debilitating and can lead to un-/under-employment, reduced quality of life, and even suicide. Once nearly invisible, endometriosis has enjoyed recent public discussion, as major news outlets have reported the individual and social costs of endometriosis, and public figures have spoken out about their experiences. However, increased public spotlight has led to the proliferation of a narrative that endo is primarily a reproductive disease, a myth begun in medical literature nearly a century ago, which overlooks significant medical evidence and drives interventions that have high rates of failure and often cause further impairment. This paper examines locations where queerness meets gendered ableism, arguing that imagining endo as a gendered disability would be a first step toward decoupling compulsory heterosexuality from compulsory able-bodiedness. I also articulate gender-neutral ways to discuss endo and recommendations for more inclusive and accurate language and practices.

摘要

该项目广泛地定义了性别残疾，包括涉及子宫、卵巢和传统上归类为“女性”的其他身体部位的慢性疾病。我审问女性健康、妇科等语言的使用使用子宫内膜异位症，这是一种常见的慢性疾病，可导致严重的疼痛、疲劳、全身性影响和不孕症。它影响了至少 10% 的顺性别女性，以及数量无法衡量的顺性别男性、跨性别者和性别不合格者，比偏头痛或克罗恩病更常见。子宫内膜异位症的症状通常会使人虚弱，并可能导致失业/就业不足、生活质量下降，甚至自杀。曾经几乎看不见的子宫内膜异位症最近引起了公众的讨论，因为主要新闻媒体报道了子宫内膜异位症的个人和社会成本，公众人物也说出了他们的经历。然而，越来越多的公众关注导致了一种叙事的扩散，即内脏主要是一种生殖疾病，这是近一个世纪前医学文献中开始的神话，它忽视了重要的医学证据，并推动了失败率高且经常导致进一步损害的干预措施。本文考察了酷儿性与性别化能力主义相遇的地方，认为将内因想象成一种性别化的残疾将是将强制性异性恋与强制性健全性脱钩的第一步。我还阐明了以性别中立的方式来讨论更包容和准确的语言和实践的内部和建议。